Strike-plate.



Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

A. D. METHVEN.

STRIKE PLATE. I APPLICATION FILED NOV.24,1913.

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Q Elmwmtoz f flrchibald D. Methvm,

ARCHIBALD D. METHVEN, OF MONROE, MICHIGAN.

STR-IKE-PLATE.

Application tiled November 24. 1913. Serial No. 802,640.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 191.4.

To 0 whom it may concern Be it known that I, Aucmnam l). MarnvnN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Monroe. in the county of Monroe and State of Michigan. have in\ ented certain new and useful Improvements in Strike-Plates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

his invention relates to strike plates and my invention aims to provide a strike plate with a novel latch guide that properly positions a latch. as a door is closed, whereby the latch will enter the latch opening in the strike plate.

My invention. further aims to accomplish the above and other results by a simple,

durable and inexpensive mechanical con-- strike plate; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the strike plate; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the improvement in connection with the strike plate of a lock; Fig. is a horizontal sectional view illustrating the strike plate shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive; Fig. 6 is a similar view of the strike plate shown in Fig. t, and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of strike plate.

A strike plate in accordance with this invention comprises converging top and bottom walls 1 and 2 connected at their inner edges by a side wall 3. The side wall 3 is of a less length than the walls 1 and 2 and converges. with respect to the outer edges of the walls 1 and 2, to a point in proxirmty to the inner ends of the walls. thereby providing a vertical shoulder t, between the inner end: of the walls 1 and 2, adapted to be engaged by a latch The walls 1, 2 and 3 cooperate in providing a tapering channel having a large entrance opening at the outer end 01 the strike plate. 1

The. walls 1 and 2 have the outer edges thereof provided with vertical apertured lugs or cars 6 adapted to receive screws 7 or otherfastening means employed for securing the strike plate to the jamb 8 of a door frame. As shown in Fig. 5. the door frame is cut away to provide clearance for the walls 1, 2

and 3. and the inner end of the strike plate extends into a recess 9. which provides clear once for the latch 5 when the door is closed.

The latch guide formed by the walls 1. 4 and 3 is off-set relatively to the lugs 6. and. as a door is swung to a closed position. the latch 5 engages the wall 3. and is gradually shifted to a l'Ll'l'lt'lit-X'l position until the shoulder l is reaclnzd. when the latch 53 is released and assumes a position behind the shoulder to retain the door in a closed position. (,ooperatiug with the beveled wall 3 are the converging walls 1 and f2 and as the latch rides upon the wall 2, the inclination of said wall is sufficient to raise the free edge of the door and thcreby' correctly position the door whereby the latch 5 will readily enter the recess 9. A door that has a tendency to sag is therefore correctly positioned in a frame for locking purposes, the latch 5 being supported between the inner ends of the walls 1 and 2 and against the shoulder of the wall 3.

In Figs. l and 6 of the drawing a strike plate 10 has-a latch opening 11 and lock boltlatch opening 11 and when said guide is engaged by the latch of a closing door, the

latch is gradually retracted by the wall 13 until it reaches the forward edge of the opening 11, at which time the latch is released to properly engage in the opening and correctly a'line the bolt of a lock with i the opening 12 of the strike plate.

- In either form, it will be observed that the strike plate has an oil-set tapering guide member with the outer end thereof providinn a large entrance opening for a latch and the inner end thereof terminating at a latch opening or recess. which provides clearance for the latch and 006 crates with the inner ticn with a cell door the strike plate shown in Fig. '7 can he used. the plate in this instance having a closed-in latch opening or recess 16, which prevents the latch from being tampered with when the cell door is in a closed position. This construction or either of those mevionsly described, can be used to an advantage 1n connection with anto engage in a latch opening or recess. By

using my improved strike plate the free edge of a door 15 automatically httcd as it is swung to a closed position, therehv insurv ing proper alinomcnt of the latch of the i door with the latch opening or recess of the door-way.

-\Vhile 1n the drawings there are illustrated the preferred embodiments of my invention,

it is to be understood that the construction is susceptible to such changes as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is A strike plate having bolt and latch openings formed therein, a guide member carried by the front edge thereof adjacent the latch opening and having converging top and bottom walls rovided with inclined edges, and a side wall carried by the inclined edge of said top and bottom walls and extending from the forward ends of said top and bottom walls to a point beyond said top and bottom walls and merging into said plate to form a wall of the latch opening and a latch engaging shoulder between said wall.

In testimony whereof l afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARCHIBALD D. METHVEN.

Witnesses ANNA M. Donn, KARL H. BUTLER. 

